Michael Sprott dedicates fight to his sister Ginette

Michael Sprott has vowed to win the European heavyweight championship and dedicate the title to his late sister Ginette

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Michael Sprott has vowed to win the European heavyweight championship and dedicate the title to his late sister Ginette.

Reading’s former British and Commonwealth champion fights Audley Harrison for the vacant European belt at London’s Alexandra Palace next Friday.

However, Sprott, 35, has only recently returned to the ring after Ginette Sprott died in September when she was hit by a train.

“I still think she will walk through my door now,” said Sprott. “It’s been a tough time and it’s something that’s never going to go away. It will always be there.

“I remember getting a phone call on the day and one of my other sisters was crying on the phone. Ginette came to a lot of my fights and always supported me.

“She always wanted me to do well and her memory does inspire me so I would definitely dedicate this victory to my sister.

“It will be an emotional night on April 9, but I’m going to be very strong and carry it with me.

“We were already a very close family and we’ve been sticking together. Everything that’s happened has made me a stronger person and I feel strong both physically and mentally.”

Ginette’s death led to Sprott withdrawing from Prizefighter Heavyweights 3 in October, which Harrison won to set up his European title shot.

Harrison, 38, was due to fight Albert Sosnowski, but the Pole decided to fight WBC champion Vitali Klitschko instead.

After winning Prizefighter, Harrison donated the trophy to Sprott’s family and, although grateful for the gesture, Sprott insisted he would still be taking care of business.

“Had I been in Prizefighter then I would’ve won,” said Sprott, who beat Harrison with a third-round knockout when the pair fought in February 2007.

“Audley did what he had to do at Prizefighter and won, but some of the guys he fought weren’t at my level. Donating the trophy to us was very touching and very nice of Audley. I didn’t really expect it and it surprised me, but my mind wasn’t on Prizefighter.

“I wasn’t thinking about boxing, I was only thinking about my family – they always come first.

“But hands up to him, it was a nice gesture, he’s a nice guy and I’ve always got on well with him.

“But this is business and you have to put these things to one side when you’re in the ring.

“I’m very confident that what happened last time is going to happen again.”

Tickets for next week’s Alexandra Palace show cost from £30 to £60 and are available from www.seetickets.com or 0871 230 7148.